The 50 Best Bike Trails in America

Location: Louisville, Ky.
Distance: 8 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: traillink.com

Sure, eight miles is pretty short for a paved trail, and yes it's called a river walk, as opposed to river bike, but it's a great way to decompress after hitting the hustle and bustle of Louisville. You'll get to check out the Ohio River, coal barges, and finish up in downtown Louisville, where you can pick up some fine bourbon.

Location: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Distance: 13 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: okc.gov

The best thing about the Oklahoma River Trail's 13 miles of flat, paved, riding surface is that it's free of traffic crossings. Yeah, you heard that right. So feel free to put on your time trial helmet, strap on your aero bars, and practice time-trialing to your heart's content, even if it means mowing down every roller-blader and stroller in your way.

Location: Gorham, N.H.
Distance: It's a trail network, with ratings from easy to hard
Best Suited For: Mountain or comfort bikes, depending on where you ride
Website: greatglentrails.com

Why lie? Great Glen Trails totally got on here because of its proximity to Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the northeast. From Great Glen, you'll have a perfect view of the peak, as well as a host of well-maintained trails to choose from. Rent a bike, and then take your picture in front of that mountain like you rode down it.

Location: Hattiesburg, Miss.
Distance: 41 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: longleaftrace.org

The longest rail-trail in the south-central states, Long Leaf Trace provides 41 paved miles of smooth sailing for any bike, winding through wetlands, rural farmlands, and piney woods. Keep an eye out for the long leaf pine, where the trail gets its name. If you get pooped, or need to take a crap, or drink a beer, or do anything that necessitates not being on a bike, there are rest stops every five miles or so along the trail.

Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Distance: 11 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: traillink.com

Beginning in scenic downtown Wilmington, the River to the Sea Bikeway traces the path of a trolley line that connected Wilmington to nearby Wrightsville Beach. It's less of a proper trail than it is a route, and it's got stretches with a lot of car traffic. We did mention it ends at the beach though, right? If you can manage it, this is the ride for toting your boom box.

Location: Milford, Del.
Distance: 130 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: deldot.gov

Connecting the cities and towns of Sussex County, the SDHT is a loop that runs entirely on local roadways; you'll need to be comfortable riding with traffic to enjoy it. If that's your thing though, and you're comfortable with the 130-mile trek (of course you don't have to do the whole thing at once), the SDHT has a lot to offer. And if you get really adventurous, there's an entrance to the American Discovery Biking, Hiking, Riding Trail nearby and you can cruise clear to California.

Location: New Haven, Conn.
Distance: 81 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: farmingtoncanal.org

This is an all-inclusive paved trail fit for any bike or any age, with just over 80 miles of motor vehicle-free paved cycling. This trail has its roots buried in the Thomas Jefferson administration, which is good news for history buffs. For the rest of us, there's great scenery to be had, and plenty of towns along the way for food and beverage.

Location: Garnett, Kan.
Distance: 50 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: prairiespirittrail.org

If you're looking for 360-degree unobstructed views of your surroundings, Kansas is a pretty good place to be. Despite the flat terrain, you do get a mix of crushed limestone and paved asphalt along the route, and there are restrooms and picnic areas at all of the trailheads. There's a $3.50 day fee, but that's a small price to pay for such a well-maintained route.

Location: Little Rock, Ark.
Distance: 11.5 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: rivertrail.org

Why bike this bit of Arkansas? Because it hooks up two cool destinations, the town of Little Rock, and Pinnacle Mountain State Park, where there are additional mountain bike trail options. Currently, this paved trail sits at 11.5 miles, but it will soon be extended to 24 miles, and will hit both shores of the Arkansas River thanks to a pair of bike/pedestrian bridges.

Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Distance: 262 miles, but expanding
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: ohiotoerietrail.org

We can't think of a better way to get across Ohio than riding your bike. This towpath spans from Cincinnati to Cleveland, and there are plans to extend it another 200 miles. We guess you could also walk across Ohio but that would take a really long time.

Location: Caldwell, W.V.
Distance: 80 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: greenbrierrivertrail.com

Feeling lazy? This trail never rises above a 1 percent grade. Do you know how flat that is? That's so flat you can totally convince your best friend who says she hates biking to do this, because she probably won't even notice she's pedaling. Another bonus is the Greenbrier River itself; the trail closely mirrors its namesake and offers ample opportunities for swimming and fishing.

Location: Mandeville, La.
Distance: 31 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: tammanytrace.org

Almost 300,000 people use this trail annually, and for good reason. It's a challenging, but not Lance Armstrong challenging, 31 miles, and you get to cross 31 bridges built on old railroad trestles, all within minutes of New Orleans. Your ride through the bayou is paved in asphalt, and traces through a wildlife conservation corridor, complete with isolated parks, wetlands, and historical landmarks throughout.

Location: Anniston, Ala.
Distance: 33 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: traillink.com

Located in east-central Alabama, the southwestern terminus picks up in Anniston and heads northeast, where it eventually hooks up with Georgia's Silver Comet Trail. When the power of these two trails combine, they form one of the longest paved trails in America, covering over 100 miles of smooth riding.

Location: Murrells Inlet, S.C.
Distance: 26 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: huntingtonbeachsc.org

If you're on Huntington Beach, there's a good chance you're on vacation with your family, in which case you should escape at all costs. Luckily there's this new bike path where you'll likely see some rare birds and maybe even an alligator actually cross the road in front of you. Bring your little sister along on a trail-a-bike and head out for a spin.

Location: Stockton, N.J.
Distance: 70 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: dandrcanal.com

Fact: It's pretty special to find a 70-mile linear State Park complete with wooden bridges and cobblestones in New Jersey. The D&R Canal was built in 1830 to transport freight between Philadelphia and New York, and was probably dug mostly by hand. Just think about that the next time you're feeling sorry for yourself during your 15-minute bike commute.

Location: Valentine, Nebraska
Distance: 321 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: outdoornebraska.ne.gov

For God's sake, it's called "The Cowboy Trail." Saddle the hell up. Plus, when it's complete, it will be the world's longest rails-to-trails bike trail. Plenty of towns and services along the way make for an easy-grade multi-day trip. Be warned, though, the trail isn't all the way done; after mile 195 it's “at your own risk.” Sounds like the cowboy way to us.

Location: Kittery, Maine
Distance: 65 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: easterntrail.org

Few things are hotter than being green right now, and the Eastern Trail gives you about 65-miles of signed greenway. From Kittery to Portland, Maine, the route is mostly paved, but has some dirt sections, so look those up before deciding on a road or mountain bike. Not enough miles for you? This trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, which heads down to Key West.

Location: Moab, Utah
Distance: 30 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: discovermoab.com

Everyone knows Utah is famous for its crazy mountain biking. But say you don't have a bike with front and rear suspension, and you just want an easy ride away from traffic to Arches National Park. Enter Moab Canyon Pathway, a mellow cruise where you don't have to be wearing a hydration pack to fit it.

Location: Ankeny, Iowa
Distance: 25 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: traillink.com

It's not the longest trail in Iowa, the most scenic, or even the most challenging. Despite all that, this is becoming a signature trail for the state thanks to its proximity to the Iowa's capital, Des Moines, and an majestic half-mile bridge that takes you 13-stories up and over the Des Moines River. All 25-miles are paved.

Location: Cloudcroft, N.M.
Distance: 11.3 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: railstotrails.org

This rail-trail, located in the Lincoln National Forest of South Central New Mexico, winds its way through five different climate zones, from desert to sub-alpine. Back in the day, the railroad that used this route hauled primarily lumber, but excursions could be purchased from El Paso for $3. Now you can ride the trail for free. Progress!

Location: Burlington, Vt.
Distance: 14 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: traillink.com

Why'd it make the list? Because sometimes life is a popularity contest, and the Island Line Trail is Vermont's most popular multi-use trail. There's a reason for this; the last 2.5 miles of the route slice directly across the lake on a raised rail-bed, giving the illusion that you're cycling on the water's surface. From the end of the route, you can take a seasonal ferry to South Hero or ride back to Burlington.

Location: Muncie, Ind.
Distance: 62 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: cardinalgreenways.org

It's paved, it's long, and you don't even need to own a bike to ride it. Just rent one for free through the Cardinal Greenways community cruiser program in Muncie. It's smooth rolling through prime Indiana farm country. At the north end, this hooks up with the White River Greenway trail for extra miles.

Location: Smyrna, Ga.
Distance: 62 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: silvercometga.com

Just outside of Atlanta, this is an easy access trail for a huge population. Fortunately, there are 62 miles of paved trail for all the users to spread out as you cruise asphalt to the Georgia/Alabama border. Highlights include crossing a 500-foot long trestle, rock cliffs, pine forests, and plenty of Southern hospitality.

Location: Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Distance: 70 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: imba.com

It's healthy to push yourself sometimes, and we don't mean in the “let's see if I can drink this bottle of vodka in one night” way. A seventy-mile, mostly single-track loop makes for a huge day in the saddle; frequent difficult climbs and descents serve to make the loop even more challenging. Reward comes in the form of the Native American pictographs visible en route.

Location: Miami, Florida
Distance: 14.5 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: nps.gov

We've got to clear something up: There are no sharks on this trail, just sunbathing alligators. This 14.5-mile asphalt trail loops through prime alligator country, so bring a camera and keep your head on a swivel. There is also great bird watching, and be sure to check out the observation tower on the south end of the trail.

Location: Wallace, Idaho
Distance: 15 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: everytrail.com

Lazy people, take note: it's all downhill. This rail-trail, which features a shuttle to the top, winds its way down through ten tunnels and seven high trestles. Bring a bright light or your night vision because the long, dark, Taft Tunnel is 1.66 miles long and burrows beneath the Montana/Idaho border.

Location: Gaylord, Michigan
Distance: 62 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: northcentraltrail.org

It's a relatively new trail, and paved with crushed limestone. You're never miles from nowhere, but with the dense woods, and rolling terrain, you'll get the feeling you're way out in the boonies. Eventually, this makes its way to the tip top of Michigan's glove, where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.

Location: Kilauea, Hawaii
Distance: 8 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: everytrail.com

You're in Hawaii, that's a good thing. You're going to have to be on the island of Kauai for this one, and have your mountain bike on hand. This single-track trail kicks off with a 4-mile descent, but make sure your brakes work, as the trail ends at a 2000 foot cliff overlooking the ocean. Spend some time taking in the view, because it's a 4-mile uphill ride back.

Location: Albany, N.Y.
Distance: 365 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: ptny.org

This trail extends almost 400 miles across upstate New York between downtown Albany and downtown Buffalo. It connects almost every major upstate city, as well as many smaller villages in between. In fact, there is a town every 10 or 15 miles on this route-as far as a mule could pull a barge in a day. If a mule could make it with a barge, you can make it on your bike.

Location: Yakutat, Ala.
Distance: Varies
Best Suited For: Mountain or touring, depending on route
Website: seatrails.org

Why? Because you'll be hard pressed to find anything like this anywhere else. SEAtrails is a collection of trails in southeastern Alaska that require a lot of island hopping by ferry. Camp on beaches, look for humpback whales, or check out some glaciers. With so many trails spread out on this network, you can pretty much choose your own adventure, on or off-road.

Location: Homestead, Pa.
Distance: 141 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: atatrail.org

This crushed limestone trail that runs between Homestead, Pa. and Maryland is actually part of a bigger network. Catch the C&O Canal in Cumberland, Md., and you can cruise for another 185 miles on a non-motorized path. Didn't sign up for a 326-mile ride? Get all arty and visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, or ride over the Bollman Truss Bridge, one of two surviving cast-iron truss bridges in the U.S.

Location: Cottage Grove, Oregon
Distance: 16 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: americantrails.org

The Row River Trail isn't super-long but it has a lot going for it, including three covered bridges, several retrofitted railway bridges, and the old movie sets for films such as The General and The Wedding Tree. The grade never exceeds 5%, and the route is completely paved. Say "row" like it rhymes with "cow" so you don't sound like such a tourist.

Location: Abingdon, Va.
Distance: 34 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: vacreepertrail.com

This trail is not nearly as scary as its name, which originates from the train that used to lumber through these tracks, weighted down by ore and lumber. A local outfitter dubs this trail the “easiest, prettiest, mountain bike ride you will ever encounter,” and that's good enough for us.

Location: Seattle, Wash.
Distance: 27 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: ci.seattle.wa.us

One thing you never have to worry about is cycling anywhere in Seattle alone. Seattle is a cyclist's city, and "The Burk" is the cyclist's path. From spandex-clad roadies to pierced bike messengers, you'll see everyone on this path-and you can ride it too. Get into the scene and ride to Redhook Brewery for a beer.

Location: Sierra Vista Southeast, Ariz.
Distance: 800 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: aztrail.org

This had to make the cut; it's too big to leave out. It's 800 continuous miles of mountain biking from the northern border of Arizona to the US-Mexico border. Christoper Cross may have had this route in mind when he sang “And I've got such a long way to go, to make it to the border of Mexico, so I'll ride like the wind, ride like the wind.”

Location: Hayward, Wis.
Distance: Trail network
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: cambatrails.org

So you didn't think of the Midwest as a single-track mecca? The Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association is aiming to make you change your mind. The CAMBA trails lie in and around the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest as well as in Bayfield and Sawyer County Forests-nearly a million acres in which to ride your fat tire bike. There are overview maps at each trailhead, and frequent reassurance markers.

Location: Ely, Minn.
Distance: 132 miles
Best Suited For: All bike types
Website: mesabitrail.com

One of the longest paved trails in the States, Mesabi is a generously proportioned trail in Minnesota's quiet north woods. Feel free to stretch out more than your legs, because you're rolling on a 10-foot wide strip of asphalt. There are plenty of campgrounds and communities along the way to keep you rested and refueled. Just remember bug spray, as the mosquito is the unofficial state bird.

Location: Mill Valley, Calif.
Distance: Varies
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: parks.ca.gov

Widely accepted as the birthplace of mountain biking, Mt. Tam is a legend, and it would be a slap in the face to the forefathers of dirt to exclude this network of trails. Then again, maybe the slap to the face has already been delivered. Single track trails have almost completely been shut down, but with a solid mix of dense forest, meadows, lakes, and ocean views, this remains a prime mountain bike destination.

Location: Edgemont, S.D.
Distance: 109 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: gfp.sd.gov

The 109-mile bicycle trail runs almost the entire length of the Black Hills from North to South, passing through towns like Deadwood-where Wild Bill Hickok's luck famously ran out. You should be fine, though, just watch out for rattlers during the dry summer months and don't expect to livetweet about your trip; there's no cell coverage on the trail.

Location: Glenbrook, Nev.
Distance: 14 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: theflumetrail.com

Who wouldn't want to ride around Lake Tahoe on a trail composed almost entirely of single-track? The Flume Trail makes a lot of "Top Trails to Mountain Bike" lists, and with good reason. After the initial two-mile climb, you'll enjoy the rest of the relatively flat white sand trail, along with incredible views and certain death cliff drop-offs. Acrophobes need not apply.

Location: Denver, Colo.
Distance: 470 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: coloradotrail.org

With 470 miles of backcountry riding, this mountain bike trail will get you from the hustle and bustle of Denver, to some high country living in Durango. This is not only a physically demanding route, but tough on the gear as well, so come prepared with good legs and a good bike. You might also want a map, unless you're hoping to lose yourself entirely.

Location: Cumberland, Md.
Distance: 185 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain or hybrid bikes
Website: bikewashington.org

It began as a man-made trench covering 185 miles from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Md. That alone is pretty impressive. Now a dedicated path for cyclists and pedestrians, the C&O Canal trail has grassy camping areas almost every five miles, complete with bathrooms, water, and picnic tables.

Location: Machens, Mo.
Distance: 238 miles
Best Suited For: Road or touring bikes
Website: bikekatytrail.com

It's the longest rail-trail project in America, and it nearly spans the state of Missouri east to west. With smooth crushed limestone and flat terrain from end to end, bring whatever bike you're comfortable on, and a lot of time, as you're probably not going to hammer this out in a weekend. Grab a map too, as you'll want to plan out your food stops.

Location: Medora, N.D.
Distance: 96 miles
Best Suited For: Mountain bikes
Website: mdhta.com

Don't you want to go on a bike ride through Teddy Roosevelt National Park? This trail is ninety-six miles of pure single-track winding through the Badlands, some of the most mind-blowing scenery in the Wild West. Pack plenty of water and be wary of rattlesnakes, hailstorms, flash-floods, and angry bulls. Remember, it's not called the Goodlands.